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How to Recycle Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Tubes
Everyday oral care waste: manual toothbrushes, electric brush heads, toothpaste tubes, and floss containers. Americans throw away roughly a billion toothbrushes a year.
Check local acceptanceLast reviewed October 14, 2026
Quick answer
Standard toothbrushes do not belong in curbside recycling because they mix plastic handles, nylon bristles, and metal staples. Toothpaste tubes from brands that switched to recyclable HDPE tubes can go in curbside plastic where your program accepts them. Free mail-in programs collect everything else. Before you go, confirm that a local recycling center accepts the material in its current condition.
- Recycling route
- Check locally
- Donate / take-back
- Available
How to Prepare
- 1Check the toothpaste tube for a recyclable claim or a #2 HDPE code
- 2Squeeze the tube empty and replace the cap
- 3Put recyclable tubes in curbside plastic only if your local list accepts them
- 4Collect toothbrushes, brush heads, and non-recyclable tubes in a box for a mail-in program
- 5Send electric toothbrush handles to an e-waste or battery recycler, since they hold a rechargeable battery
Where to Recycle
- Mail-in oral care recycling programs
- Curbside carts for recyclable HDPE tubes
- Dental offices that host collection boxes
- E-waste recyclers for electric toothbrushes
Special Instructions
Colgate, Tom's of Maine, and other brands moved to recyclable HDPE tubes, which the Association of Plastic Recyclers recognized. Older tubes have an aluminum layer and stay in the trash or a mail-in program. Electric toothbrush handles are electronics, not plastic.
Environmental Impact
Plastic toothbrushes last for centuries in landfills. Mail-in programs grind them into plastic for new products, and a bamboo handle cuts the plastic in half.
Sustainable Alternatives
- Bamboo toothbrushes with compostable handles
- Electric brushes with replaceable heads
- Toothpaste tablets in glass or metal jars
Official guidance and resources
Accepted items and drop-off rules can vary by location. Check the destination before you go.
What’s Accepted
Accepted
- Recyclable HDPE toothpaste tubes where your program accepts them
- Toothbrushes and brush heads through mail-in programs
- Electric toothbrush handles at e-waste or battery recyclers
Not Accepted
- Manual toothbrushes in curbside carts
- Aluminum-layer tubes in curbside carts
- Electric toothbrushes in the trash or plastic recycling
Donation & Take‑Back Options
Manufacturer/Retail Take‑Back
FAQs
Can I recycle my toothbrush?
Not in curbside recycling. Mail-in programs accept used toothbrushes and brush heads free of charge.
Are toothpaste tubes recyclable now?
Many are. Look for a #2 code or a recyclable claim on the tube, then confirm your local program accepts it.
How do I dispose of an electric toothbrush?
Take it to an e-waste or battery drop-off. The rechargeable battery inside makes it a fire risk in trash and recycling trucks.
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Recycle toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes
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